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LITTLE JACK WHEN A CHILD. 






THE 


HISTORY 


O F 


L I T T L E J A C K. 


By 

^ * 

THOMAS DAY. 

|l h im ^ 

AUTHOR OF “ HISTORY OF SANFORD AND MERTON.’* 


55© ft I) Numerous IHnsrabtnflsf. 


P Hi LADELPIIIA: 

WILLIS P. HAZAI®, 178 CHESNUT STREET 




> 

♦ 

** '*'■ 


1850 . 




i 

1 Copy _ I 

NOV 5 1968 








THE HISTORY 


OF 

LITTLE JACK. 


There was once a poor lame old man that 
lived in the midst of a wide uncultivated moor, 
in the north of England. He had formerly 
been a soldier, and had almost lost the use of 
one leg by a wound he had received in battle, 
when he was fighting against the enemies of 
his country. This poor man, when he found 
himself thus disabled, built a little hut of clay, 
which he covered with turf dug from the com-’ 

( 3 ) - - 


6 


THE HISTORY OP 


even in the midst of poverty and distress, he 
had raised him up one faithful friend. 

One night, in the beginning of winter, the 
old man thought he heard the feeble cries and 
lamentations of a child. As he was naturally 
charitable, he arose and struck a light, and 
going out of his cottage Examined on every 
side. It was not long before he discerned an 
infant, which had probably been dropped by 
some strolling beggar or gipsey. The old man 
stood amazed at the sight, and knew not what 
to do. Shall I, said he, who find it so difficult 
to live at present, incumber myself with the 
care of an helpless infant, that will not for 
many years be capable of contributing to its 
own subsistence ? And yet, added he, softening 
with pity, I deny assistance to a human being 
still more miserable than myself I — Will not 


LITTLE JACK. 7 

that Providence which feeds the birds of the 
wood and the beasts of the field, and which 
has promised to bless all those that are kind 
and charitable, assist my feeble endeavours? 
At least, let me give it food and lodging for 
this night; for without I receive it into my 
cottage, the poor abandoned wretch must perish 
with cold before the morning. Saying this, he 
took it up in his arms, and perceived it was a 
fine healthy boy, though covered with rags; 
the little foundling too, seemed to be sensible of 
his kindness, and smiling in his face, stretched 
out his little arms, as if to embrace his bene- 
factor. 

When he had brought it into his hut, he be- 
gan to be extremely embarrassed how to pro- 
cure it food ; but looking at Nan, he recollected 
that she had just lost her kid, and saw her 


8 THE HISTORY OF 

udder distended with milk : he therefore called 
her to him, and presenting the child to the 
teat, was overjoyed to find that it sucked as 
naturally as if it had really found a mother. 

The goat, too, seemed to receive pleasure 
from the efforts of the child, and submitted 
without opposition, to discharge the duties of a 
nurse. 

Contented with this experiment, the old man 
wrapped the child up as warmly as he could, 
and stretched himself out to rest, with the con- 
sciousness of having done a humane action. 

Early the next morning, he was awakened 
by the cries of the child for food, which, with 
the assistance of his faithful Nan, he suckled 
as he had done the night before. 

And now the old man began to feel an inte- 
rest in the child, which made him defer some 


LITTLE JACK. 


9 


time longer the taking measures to be delivered 
from its care. Who knows, said he, but Pro- 
vidence, which has preserved this child in so 
wonderful a manner, may have destined it to 
something equally wonderful in his future life, 
and may bless me as the humble agent of his 
decrees ? 

At least, as he grows bigger, he will be a 
pleasure and comfort to me in this lonely ca- 
bin; and will assist in cutting turf for fuel, 
and cultivating the garden. From this time, 
he became more and more attached to the little 
foundling; who, in a short time, learned to 
consider the old man as a parent, and delighted 
him with his innocent caresses. 

Gentle Nanny too, the goat, seemed to adopt 
him with equal tenderness as her offspring: 
she would stretch herself out upon the ground, 


10 


THE HISTORY OF 


while he crawled upon his hands and knees 
towards her : and when he had satisfied his 
hunger by sucking, he would nestle between 
her legs and go to sleep in her bosom. 

It was wonderful to see how this child, thus 
left to nature, increased in strength and vigour. 
Unfettered by bandages or restraints, his limbs 
acquired their due proportions and form ; his 
countenance was full and florid, and gave indi- 
cations of perfect health ; and, at an age when 
other children are scarcely able to support 
themselves with the assistance of a nurse, this 
little foundling could run alone. It was true 
that he sometimes failed in his attempts, and 
fell to the ground; but the ground was soft, 
and little Jack, for so the old man called him, 
was not tender nor delicate ; he never minded 
thumps or bruises, but boldly scrambled up 
again and pursued his way. 


LITTLE JACK. 


11 


In a short time, little Jack was completely 
master of his legs; and as the summer came 
on, he attended his mamma, the goat, upon the 
common, and used to play with her for hours 
together; sometimes rolling under her belly, 
now climbing upon her back, and frisking about 
as if he had really been a kid. 

As to his clothing, Jack was not much en- 
cumbered with it : he had neither shoes, nor 
stockings, nor shirt, but the weather was 
warm, and Jack felt himself so much lighter 
for every kind of exercise. 

In a short time after this, Jack began to imi- 
tate the sounds of his papa, the man, and his 
mamma, the goat; nor was it long before he 
learned to speak articulately. 

The old man, delighted with this first dawn 
of reason, used to place him upon his knee, and 


12 


THE HISTORY OF 


converse with him for hours together, while his 
pottage was slowly boiling amid the embers of 
a turf fire. 

As he grew bigger, J ack became of consider- 
able use to his father ; he could trust him to 
look after the gate, and open it during his ab- 
sence ; and as to the cookery of the family, it 
was not long before Jack was a complete profi- 
cient, and could make broth almost as well as 
his daddy himself. 

During the winter nights, the old man used 
to entertain him with stories of what he had 
seen during his youth ; the battles and sieges 
he had been witness to, and the hardships he 
had undergone; all this he related with so 
much vivacity, that Jack was never tired of 
listening. But what delighted him beyond 
measure, was, to see daddy shoulder his crutch, 


PADDY'S BATTLE STORY 































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LITTLE JACK. 


13 


instead of a musket, and give the word of com- 
mand. To the right — to the left — present — 
fire — march — halt — all this was very familiar 
to Jack's ear as soon as he could speak, and 
before he was six years old, he poized and pre- 
sented a broomstick, which his daddy gave him 
for that purpose, with as good a grace as any 
soldier of his age in Europe. 

The old man too, instructed him in such 
plain and simple morals and religion, as he was 
able to explain. *•- , ‘ 

“ Never tell an untruth, Jack/’ said he, 
“ even though you were to be flayed alive ; a 
soldier never lies.” Jack held up his head, 
marched -across the floor, and promised his 
daddy that he would always tell the truth like 
a soldier. But the old man, as he was some- 
thing of a scholar, had a great ambition that 


14 


THE HISTORY OF 


his darling should learn to read and write ; and 
this was a work of some difficulty ; for he had 
neither printed book, nor pens, nor paper in 
his cabin. Industry, however, enables us to 
overcome difficulties; in the summer time, as 
the old man sat before his cottage, he would 
draw letters in the sand, and teach Jack to 
name them singly, until he was acquainted 
with the whole alphabet; he then proceeded 
to syllables, and after that to words ; all which 
his little pupil learned to pronounce with great 
facility : and as he had a strong propensity to 
imitate what he saw, he not only acquired the 
power of reading words, but of tracing all the 
letters which composed them on the sand. 

About this time, the poor goat, which had 
nursed Jack so faithfully, grew ill and died. 
He tended her with the greatest affection and 


LITTLE JACK. 


15 


assiduity during her illness, brought her the 
freshest herbs for food, and would frequently 
support her head for hours together upon his 
little bosom. But it was all in vain ; he lost 
his poor mammy, as he used to call her, and 
was for some time inconsolable ; for Jack, 
though his knowledge was bounded, had an 
uncommon degree of gratitude and affection in 
his temper. He was not able to talk as finely 
about love, tenderness, and sensibility, as many 
other little boys, that have enjoyed greater ad- 
vantages of education, but he felt the reality 
of them in his heart* and thought it so natural 
to love every thing that loves us, that he never 
even suspected it was possible to do otherwise. 
The poor goat was buried in the old man's gar- 
den, and thither little Jack would often come, 
and call upon his poor mammy Nan, and ask 
her wh3^ she had left him ? 


16 


THE HISTORY OF 


One day, as he was thus employed, a lady 
happened to come by in a carriage, and over- 
heard him before he was aware. Jack ran in 
an instant to open the gate ; but the lady stop- 
ped, and asked him whom he was bemoaning 
so pitifully, and calling upon. Jack answered 
that it was his poor mammy, that was buried 
in the garden. The lady thought it very odd 
to hear of such a burial place, and therefore 
proceeded to question him : “ How did your 
mamma get her living ?” said she. “ She used 
to graze here upon the common all day long,” 
said Jack. 

The lady was still more astonished ; but the 
old man came out of his hut and explained the 
whole affair to her, which surprised her very 
much ; for though this lady had seen a great 
deal of the world, and had read a variety of 


LITTLE JACK. 


17 


books, it had never once entered into her head 
that a child might grow strong and vigorous 
by sucking a goat, instead of eating pap. She 
therefore looked at J ack with amazement, ad- 
mired his brown but animated face, and praised 
his shape and activity. 

“ Will you go with me, little boy ?” said she, 
“ and I will take care of you, if you behave 
well.” 

“ No,” said Jack, “ I must stay with daddy ; 
he has taken care of me for many years, and 
now I must take care of him; otherwise I 
should like very well to go with such a sweet, 
good-natured lady.” 

The lady was not displeased with Jack’s an- 
swer, and putting her hand in her pocket, gave 
him half a crown, to buy him shoes and stock- 
ings, and pursued her journey. 


18 


THE HISTORY OF 


Jack was not unacquainted with the use of 
money, as he had been often sent to the next 
village to purchase bread and necessaries ; but 
he was totally unacquainted with the use of 
shoes and stockings, which he had never worn 
in his life, nor felt the want of. The next day, 
however, the old man bade him run to town, 
and lay his money out as the lady had desired ; 
for he had too much honour to think of diso- 
beying her commands, or suffering it to be ex- 
pended for any other purpose. It was not long 
before Jack returned; but the old man was 
much surprised to see him come back as bare 
as he went out. “ Heigh, Jack,” said he, 
“ where are the shoes and stockings which you 
were to purchase ?” 

“ Daddy,” said Jack, "I went to the shop, 
and just tried a pair for sport, but I found them 


LITTLE JACK. 


19 


so cumbersome, that I could not walk, and I 
would not wear such things even if the lady 
would give me another half-crown for doing it : 
so I laid the money out in a warm jacket for 
you, because the winter is coming on, and you 
seem to be more afraid of the cold than for- 
merly.” 

Many such instances of conduct did Jack 
display; from which it was easy to perceive 
that he had an excellent soul and generous 
temper. One failing, indeed, Jack was liable 
to ; though a very good-natured boy, he was a 
little too jealous of his honour. His daddy 
had taught him the use of his hands and legs, 
and Jack had such dispositions for the art of 
boxing, that he could beat every boy in the 
neighbourhood, of his age and size. Even if 
they were a head taller, it made no difference 


20 


THE HISTORY OF 


to Jack, provided they said any thing to wound 
his honour; for otherwise he was the most 
mild, pacific creature in the world. One day 
that he had been sent to the village, he re- 
turned with his eyes black, and his face swelled 
to a frightful size : it was even with difficulty 
that he was able to walk at all, so sore was he 
with the pomelling he had received. 

“ What have you been doing now, J ack,” 
said the old man. “ Only fighting with Dick 
the butcher.” “ You rogue,” said the old man, 
“ he is twice as big as you are, and the best 
fighter in all the country.” “ What does that 
signify ?” said J ack, “ he called you an old beg- 
gar-man, and then I struck him; and I will 
strike him again whenever he calls you so, even 
if he should beat me to pieces ; for you know, 
daddy, that you are not a beggar-man, but a 
soldier.” 


LITTLE JACK. 


21 


In this manner lived little Jack, until he 
was twelve years old ; at this time his poor old 
daddy fell sick, and became incapable of mov- 
ing about. Jack did every thing he could 
think of for the poor man; he made him 
broths, he fed him with his own hands, he 
watched whole nights by his bed-side, support- 
ing his head and helping him when he wanted 
to move. But it was all in vain; his poor 
daddy grew worse daily, and perceived it to be 
impossible that he should recover. He one 
day, therefore, called little Jack to his bed-side, 
and, pressing his hand affectionately, told him 
he was just going to die. Little Jack burst 
into a flood of tears at this information, but his 
daddy desired him to compose himself, and 
attend to the last advice he should be able to 
give him. 


22 


THE HISTORY OF 


“ I have lived,” said the old man, “ a great 
many years in poverty, but I do not know that 
I have been worse off than if I had been rich ; 
I have avoided, perhaps, many faults, and 
many uneasinesses, which I should have incur- 
red had I been in another situation ; and 
though I have often wanted a meal, and always 
fared hard, I have enjoyed as much health and 
life as usually falls to the lot of my betters. I 
am now going to die ; I feel it in every part ; 
the breath will soon be out of my body ; then 
I shall be put in the ground, and the worms 
will eat your poor old daddy.” At this Jack 
renewed his tears and sobbings, for he was un- 
able to restrain them. But the old man said : 
“Have patience, my child; though I should 
leave this world, as I have always been strictly 
honest, and endeavoured to do my duty, I do 


LITTLE JACK. 


23 


not doubt but God will pity me, and convey me 
to a better place, where I shall be happier than 
I have ever been here. 

“ This is what I have always taught you, 
and this belief gives me the greatest comfort 
in my last moments. The only regret I feel is 
for you, my dearest child, whom I leave unpro- 
vided for. But you are strong and vigorous, 
and almost able to get your living. As soon 
as I am dead, you must go to the next village, 
and inform the people, that they may come and 
bury me. You must then' endeavour to get 
into service, and work for your living ; and, if 
you are strictly honest and sober, I do not 
doubt that you will find a livelihood, and that 
God, who is the common father of all, will pro- 
tect and bless you. Adieu, my child, I grow 
fainter and fainter ; never forget your poor old 


24 


THE HISTORY OF 


daddy, nor the example he has set you ; but in 
every situation of life, discharge your duty, 
and live like a soldier and a Christian.” 

When the old man had, with difficulty, ut- 
tered these last instructions, his voice entirely 
failed him, his limbs grew cold and stiff, and in 
a few minutes he expired without a groan. 
Little Jack, who hung crying over his daddy, 
called upon him in vain, in vain endeavoured 
to revive him. At length he pulled off his 
clothes, went into his daddy's bed, and endea- 
voured, for many hours, to animate him with 
the warmth of his own body ; but, finding all 
his endeavours fruitless, he concluded that he 
was indeed dead ; and, therefore, weeping bit- 
terly, he dressed himself, and went to the vil- 
lage as he had been ordered. 

The poor little boy was thus left entirely 


LITTLE JACK. 


25 


destitute, and knew not what to do : but one 
of the farmers, who had been acquainted with 
him before, offered to take him into his house, 
and give him his victuals for a few months, till 
he could find a service. 

Jack thankfully accepted the offer, and 
served him faithfully for several months ; dur- 
ing which time he learned to milk, to drive the 
plough, and never refused any kind of work he 
was able to perform. But, by ill luck, this 
good-natured farmer contracted a fever, by 
overheating himself in the harvest, and died 
in the beginning of winter. 

His wife was therefore obliged to discharge 
her servants, and Jack was again turned loose 
upon the world, with only his clothes and a 
shilling in his pocket, which his kind mistress 
had made him a present of. He was very 


26 


THE HISTORY OF 


sorry for the loss of his master ; but he was 
now grown bigger and stronger, and thought he 
should easily find employment. He therefore 
set out upon his travels, walking all day, and 
enquiring at every farm-house for work. 

But in this attempt he was unfortunate, for 
nobody chose to employ a stranger : and, though 
he lived with the greatest economy, he soon 
found himself in a worse situation than ever, 
without a farthing in his pocket, or a morsel 
of bread to eat. Jack, however, was not of a 
temper to be easily cast down ; he walked reso- 
lutely on all day, but, towards evening, was 
overtaken by a violent storm of rain, which 
wetted him to the skin before he could find a 
bush for shelter. Now poor Jack began to 
think of his old daddy, and the comforts he 
had formerly enjoyed upon the common, where 


LITTLE JACK. 


27 


he had always a roof to shelter him, and a 
slice of bread for supper. But tears and la- 
mentations were vain ; and, therefore, as soon 
as the storm was over, he pursued his journey, 
in hopes of finding some barn or out-house to 
creep into for the rest of the night. 

While he was thus wandering about, he saw, 
at some distance, a great light, which seemed 
to come from some prodigious fire. Jack did 
not know what this could be ; but, in his pre- 
sent situation, he thought a fire no disagreeable 
object, and therefore determined to approach 
it. When he came nearer, he saw a large 
building, which seemed to spout fire and smoke 
at several openings, and heard an incessant 
noise of blows, and the rattling of chains. 
Jack was at first a little frightened, but sum- 
moning all his courage, he crept cautiously on 


THE HISTORY OF 


28 

to the building ; and looking through a chink, 
discovered several men and boys employed in 
blowing fires and hammering burning masses 
of iron. This was a very comfortable sight to 
him in his present forlorn condition ; so finding 
a door half open, he ventured in, and placed 
himself as near as he dared to one of the flam- 
ing furnaces. 

It was not long before he was discovered by 
one of the workmen, who asked him roughly, 
what business he had there? Jack answered 
with great humility, that he was a poor boy, 
looking out for work ; that he had had no food 
all day, and was wet to the skin with the rain, 
which was evident enough from the appearance 
of his clothes. By great good luck, the man 
he spoke to was good-natured, and, therefore, 
not only permitted him to stay by the fire, but 


LITTLE JACK. 


29 


gave him some broken victuals for his supper. 
After this, he laid himself down in a corner, 
and slept without disturbance till morning. 

He was scarcely awake the next day, when 
the master of the forge came in to overlook his 
men, who, finding Jack, and hearing his story, 
began to reproach him as a lazy vagabond, and 
asked him why he did not work for his living. 
Jack assured him there was nothing he so ear- 
nestly desired ; and that if he would please to 
employ him, there was nothing he would not 
!do to earn a subsistence. “Well, my boy,” 
said the master, “ if this be true, you shall 
; soon be tried ; nobody needs be idle here so 
| calling his foreman, he ordered him to set that 
lad to work, and pay him in proportion to his 
deserts. Jack now thought himself completely 
happy, and worked with so much assiduity, 


30 


THE HISTORY OF 


that he soon gained a comfortable livelihood, 
and acquired the esteem of his master. But, 
unfortunately, he was a little too unreserved 
in his conversation, and communicated the 
story of his former life and education. This 
was great matter of diversion to all the other 
boys of the forge ; who, whenever they were 
inclined to be merry, would call him little Jack 
the beggar-boy, and imitate the baaing of a 
goat. This was too much for his irascible tem- 
per, and he never failed to resent it ; by which 
means he was engaged in continual quarrels 
and combats, to the great disturbance of the 
house ; so that his master, though in other re- 
spects perfectly satisfied with his behaviour, 
began to fear that he should at last be obliged 
to discharge him. 

It happened one day, that a large company 


LITTLE JACK. 


31 


of ladies and gentlemen were introduced to see 
the works. The master attended them, and 
explained, with great politeness, every part of 
his manufacture. They viewed with astonish- 
ment, the different methods by which that use- 
ful and necessary ore, iron, is rendered fit for 
human use. They examined the furnaces 
where it is melted down to disengage it from 
the dross, with which it is mixed in the bowels 
of the earth, and whence it runs down in liquid 
torrents like fire. They beheld, with equal 
pleasure, the prodigious hammers, which, moved 
by the force of water, mould it into massy bars 
for the service of man. While they were busy 
in examining these different processes, they 
were alarmed by a sudden noise of discord, 
which broke out on the other side of the build- 
ing ; and the master inquiring into the cause, 


THE HISTORY OF 


32 

was told it was only little Jack, who was fight- 
ing with Tom the collier. At this, the master 
cried out, in a passion, “ there is no peace to 
he expected in the furnace, while that little 
rascal is employed ; send him to me, and I will 
instantly discharge him.” At this moment 
Jack appeared, all covered with blood and dirt, 
and stood before his angry judge in a modest, 
but resolute posture. “Is this the reward,” 
said his master, “you little audacious vaga- 
bond, for all my kindness? Can you never 
refrain a single instant from broils and fighting? 
but I am determined to bear it no longer ; and 
therefore you shall never, from this hour, do a 
single stroke of work for me.” “ Sir,” replied 
Jack with great humility, but yet with firm- 
ness, “ I am extremely sorry to have disobliged 
you, nor have I ever done it willingly since I 


LITTLE JACK. 


33 


have been here ; and if the other boys would 
only mind their business as well as I do, and 
not molest me, you would not have been of- 
fended now ; for I defy them all to say, that, 
since I have been in the house, I have ever 
given any one the least provocation, or ever 
refused, to the utmost of my strength, to do 
whatever I have been ordered.” “ That’s true, 
in good faith,” said the foreman ; “ I must do 
little Jack the justice to say, that there is not 
a more honest, sober, and industrious lad about 
the place. Set him to what you will, he never 
skulks, never grumbles, never slights his work ; 
and if it were not for a little passion and fight- 
ing, I don’t believe there would be his fellow 
in England.” “ Well,” said the master, a little 
mollified, “ but what is the cause .of all this 
sudden disturbance?” “Sir,” answered Jack, 


c 


34 


THE HISTORY OF 


“ it is Tom that has been abusing me, and tell- 
ing me that my father was a beggar-man, and 
my mother a nanny-goat, and when I desired 
him to be quiet, he went baaing all about the 
house, and this I could not bear : for, as to my 
poor father, he was an honest soldier ; and if I 
did suck a goat, she was the best creature in 
the world, and I wont hear her abused while I 
have any strength in my body.” At this ha- 
rangue, the whole audience were scarcely able 
to refrain from laughing ; and the master, with 
more composure, told Jack to mind his busi- 
ness, and threatened the other boys with pun- 
ishment if they disturbed him. 

But a lady who was in the company seemed 
particularly interested about little Jack, and 
when she had heard his story, said, “ this must 
certainly be the little boy who opened a gate 


LITTLE JACK. 


35 

several years past for me upon Norcot Moor. 
I remember being struck with his appearance, 
and hearing him. I was very much affected 
with his history, and since he deserves so good 
a character, if you will part with him, I will 
instantly take him into my service.” 

The master replied, that he should part with 
him with great satisfaction to such an excellent 
mistress; that, indeed, the boy deserved all 
the commendations which had been given; 
but since the other lads had such a habit of 
plaguing, and J ack was of so impatient a tem- 
per, he despaired of ever composing their ani- 
mosities. Jack was then called, and informed 
of the lady's offer, which he instantly accepted 
with the greatest readiness, and received imme- 
diate directions to her house. 

Jack was now in a new sphere of life. His 


THE HISTORY OF 


36 

face was washed, his hair combed, he was 
clothed afresh, and appeared a very smart, 
active lad. His business was to help in the 
stable, to water the horses, to clean shoes, to 
perform errands, and to do all the jobs of the 
family ; and in the discharge of these services, 
he soon gave universal satisfaction. 

He was indefatigable in doing what he was 
ordered, never grumbled nor appeared out of 
temper, and seemed so quiet and inoffensive in 
his manners, that everybody wondered how he 
had acquired the character of being quarrel- 
some. In a short time, he became both the 
favourite and the drudge of the whole family ; 
for, speak but kindly to him, and call him a 
little soldier, and Jack was at every one’s dis- 
posal. 

This was Jack’s particular foible and vanity; 


LITTLE JACK. 


37 


at his leisure hours, he would divert himself 
by the hour together, in poizing a dung-fork, 
charging with a broomstick, and standing sen- 
try at the stable-door. 

Another propensity of Jack’s, which now dis- 
covered itself, was an immoderate love of 
horses. The instant he was introduced into 
the stable, he attached himself so strongly to 
these animals, that you would have taken him 
for one of the same species, or at least, a near 
relative. Jack was never tired with rubbing 
down and currying them ; the coachman had 
scarcely any business but to sit upon his box ; 
all the operations of the stable were intrusted 
to little Jack, nor was it ever known that he 
neglected a single particular. But what gave 
him more pleasure than all the rest, was some- 
times to accompany his mistress upon a little 


38 


THE HISTORY OF 


horse, which he managed with infinite dex- 
terity. 

Jack, too, discovered a great disposition for 
all the useful and mechanic arts. He had 
served an apprenticeship already to the manu- 
facture of iron, and of this he was almost as 
vain as being a soldier. As he began to ex- 
tend his knowledge of the world, he saw that 
nothing could be done without iron. “How 
would you plough the ground,” said Jack; 
“ how would you dig your garden ; how would 
you even light a fire, dress a dinner, shoe a 
horse, or do the least thing in the world, if we 
workmen at the forge did not lake the trouble 
of preparing it for you ?” Thus Jack would 
sometimes expatiate upon the dignity and im- 
portance of his own profession, to the great 
admiration of all the other servants. These 


LITTLE JACK. 


39 

ideas naturally gave Jack a great esteem for 
the profession of a blacksmith ; and in his oc- 
casional visits to the forge with the horses, he 
learnt to make and fix a shoe as neatly as any 
artist in the country. 

Nor were Jack's talents confined to the ma- 
nufacture of iron; his love of horses was so 
great, and his interest in every thing that 
related to them, that it was not long before he 
acquired a very competent knowledge in the 
art of saddlery. 

Jack would also sometimes observe the car- 
penters when they were at work ; and some- 
times, by stealth, attempt the management of 
their tools, in which he succeeded as well as in 
every thing else, so that he was looked upon 
by everybody as a very active, ingenious boy. 

There was in the family where he now lived, 


40 


THE HISTORY OF 


a young gentleman, the nephew of his mistress, 
who had lost his parents, and was therefore 
brought up by his aunt. As Master Willets 
was something younger than J ack, and a very 
good-natured boy, he soon began to take notice 
of him, and to be much diverted with his com- 
pany 

Jack, indeed, was not undeserving this atten- 
tion ; for although he could not boast any great 
advantages of education, his conduct was en- 
tirely free from all the vices to which some of 
the lower classes of people are subject. Jack 
was never heard to swear, nor express himself 
with any indecency. He was civil and respect- 
ful in his manners to all his superiors, and 
uniformly good-natured to his equals. In re- 
spect to the animals entrusted to his care, he 
not only refrained from using them ill, but was 


LITTLE JACK. 


41 


never tired with doing them good offices. 
Added to this, he was sober, temperate, hardy, 
active, and ingenious, and despised a lie as 
much as any of his betters. Master Willets 
now began to be much pleased with playing at 
cricket and trap-ball with Jack, who excelled 
at both these games. Master Willets had a 
little horse, which Jack looked after, and not 
contented with looking after him in the best 
manner, he used to ride him at his leisure 
hours with so much care and address, that in 
a short time he made him the most gentle and 
docile little animal in the country. Jack had 
acquired this knowledge partly from his own 
experience, and partly from paying particular 
attention to an itinerant riding-master, that 
had lately exhibited various feats in that neigh- 
bourhood. Jack attended him so closely, and 


42 


THE HISTORY OF 


made so good a use of his time, that he learned 
to imitate almost every thing he saw. 

The young gentleman had a master, who 
used to come three times a week to teach him 
accounts, and writing, and geography. Jack 
used to be sometimes in the room while the 
lessons were given, and listened, according to 
custom, with so much attention, to all that 
passed, that he received very considerable ad- 
vantage for his own improvement. 

He had now a little money, and he laid some 
of it out to purchase pens and paper, and a 
slate ; with which, at night, he used to imitate 
every thing he had heard and seen in the day ; 
and his little master, who began to love him 
very sincerely, when he saw him so desirous 
of improvement, contrived, under one pretence 
or another, to have him generally in the room 
while he was receiving instruction himself. 


LITTLE JACK. 


43 


In this manner Jack went on for some years, 
leading a life very agreeable to himself, and 
discharging his duty very much to the satis- 
faction of his mistress. 

An unlucky accident at length happened to 
interrupt his tranquillity. A young gentleman 
came down to visit Master Willets, who, hav- 
ing been educated in France, and among gen- 
teel people in London, had a very great taste 
for finery, and a supreme contempt for all the 
vulgar. 

His dress, too, was a little particular, as well 
as his manners ; for he spent half his time in 
adjusting his head, wore a large black bag tied 
to his hair behind, and would sometimes strut 
about for half an hour with his hat under his 
arm, and a little sword by his side. 

This young man had a supreme contempt for 


44 


THE HISTORY OF 


all the vulgar, which he did not attempt to 
conceal ; and when he had heard the story of 
Jack’s birth and education, he could scarcely 
bear to be in the same room with him. 

Jack soon perceived the aversion which the 
stranger entertained for him, and at first en- 
deavoured to remove it, by every civility in his 
power ; but when he found that he gained no- 
thing by all his humility, his temper, naturally 
haughty, took fire, and, as far as he dared, he 
plainly showed all the resentment he felt. 

It happened, one day, after Jack had re- 
ceived some very mortifying usage from this 
young gentleman, that, as he was walking 
along the road, he met with a showman, who 
was returning from a neighbouring fair with 
some wild beasts in a cart. Among them was 
a middle-sized monkey, who was not under 


LITTLE JACK. 


45 


cover like the rest, and played so many antic 
tricks, and made so many grimaces, as engaged 
all Jack’s attention, and delighted him very 
much; for he always had a propensity for 
every species of drollery. After a variety of 
questions and conversation, the showman, who 
probably wanted to get rid of his monkey, pro- 
posed to J ack to purchase him for half-a-crown. 
Jack could not resist the temptation of being 
master of such a droll and diverting animal, 
and therefore agreed to the bargain. But 
when he was left alone with his purchase, 
whom he led along by a chain, he soon began 
to repent his haste, and knew not how to dis- 
pose of him. As there was, however, no re- 
medy, Jack brought him carefully home, and 
confined him safe in an out-house, which was 
not applied to any use. In this situation he 


46 


THE HISTORY OF 


kept him several days, without accident, and 
frequently visited him at his leisure hours, 
with apples, nuts, and such other presents as 
he could procure. Among the tricks which 
the monkey had been taught to perform, he 
would rise upon his hind-legs at the word of 
command, and how with great politeness to the 
company. J ack, who had found out these ac- 
complishments in his friend, could not resist 
the impulse of making him subservient to his 
resentment. 

He therefore, one day, procured some flour, 
with which he powdered his monkey’s head, 
fixed a large paper bag to his neck, put an old 
hat under his arm, and tied a large iron skewer 
to his side, instead of a sword ; and thus ac- 
coutred, led him about with infinite satisfac- 
tion, calling Monsieur, and jabbering such 


LITTLE JACK. 47 

broken French as he had picked up from the 
conversation of the visitor. 

It happened very unluckily at this very in- 
stant, that the young gentleman himself passed 
by, and instantly saw, at one glance, the in- 
tended copy of himself, and all the malice of 
little Jack, who was leading him along, and 
calling to him to hold up his head, and look 
like a person of fashion. 

Eage instantly took possession of his mind, 
and drawing his sword, which he 'happened to 
have on, he ran the poor monkey through, with 
a sudden thrust, and laid him dead upon the 
ground. What more he might have done is 
uncertain, for J ack, who was not of a temper 
to see calmly such an outrage committed upon 
an animal whom he considered as his friend, 
flew upon him like a fury, and wresting the 


48 THE HISTORY OF 

sword out of his hand, broke it into twenty 

pieces. 

The young gentleman himself received a fall 
in the scuffle, which, though it did him no ma- 
terial damage, daubed all his clothes, and to- 
tally spoiled the whole arrangement of his 
dress. At this instant, the lady herself, who 
had heard the noise, came down, and the vio- 
lence of poor Jack was too apparent to be ex- 
cused. Jack, indeed, was very sorry to have 
offended ; but, when he was ordered to make 
concessions to the young gentleman, as the only 
conditions upon which he could be kept in the 
family, he absolutely refused. He owned, in- 
deed, that he was much to blame for resenting 
the provocations he had received, and endea- 
vouring to make his mistress’s company ridicu- 
lous, but as to what he had done in defence of 


LITTLE JACK. 


49 

his friend the monkey, there was no possible 
argument which could convince him he was in 
the least to blame ; nor would he have made 
submissions to the king himself. This unfor- 
tunate obstinacy of Jack’s was the occasion of 
his being discharged, very much to the regret 
of the lady herself, and still more to that of 
Master Willets. Jack therefore packed up his 
clothes in a little bundle, shook all his fellow- 
servants by the hand, took an affectionate leave 
of his kind master, and once more sallied out 
upon his travels. 

He had not walked far before he came to a 
town, where a party of soldiers were beating 
up for volunteers. Jack mingled with the 
crowd that surrounded the recruiting serjeant, 
and listened with great pleasure to the sound 
of the fifes and drums ; nor could he help me- 

D 


50 


THE HISTORY OF 


chanically holding up liis head, and stepping 
forward with an air that showed the trade was 
not entirely new to him. The serjeant soon 
took notice of these gestures, and seeing him, 
clapped him upon the back, and asked him if 
he would enlist. — “ You are a brave boy*” said 
he, “ I can see it in your looks — come along 
with us, and I don’t doubt, in a few weeks you 
will be as complete a soldier as those who have 
been in the army for years.” 

Jack made no answer to this, but by in- 
stantly poizing his stick, cocking his hat fierce- 
ly, and going through the whole manual exer- 
cise. — “ Prodigious, indeed,” cried the serjeant, 
“ I see you have been in the army already, and 
can eat fire as well as any of us. But come 
with us, my brave lad, you shall live well, 
have little to do, but now and then fight for 


LITTLE JACK. 


51 


your country and king, as every gentleman 
ought ; and in a short time I don’t doubt but I 
shall see you a captain, or some great man, 
rolling in wealth, which you have got out of 
the spoils of your enemies.” “ No,” said Jack, 
“ captain, that will never do — no tricks upon 
travellers — I know better what I have to ex- 
pect if I enlist — I must lie hard, live hard, ex- 
pose my life and limbs every hour of the day, 
and be soundly cudgelled every now and then 
into the bargain.” “ Ha !” cried the serjeant, 
“ where did the young dog pick up all this ? 
He is enough to make a whole company de- 
sert.” “No,” said Jack, “they shall never 
desert through me : for though I know this, as 
I am at present out of employment, and have 
a great respect for the character of a gentleman 
soldier, I will enlist directly in your regiment.” 


52 


THE HISTORY OF 


U A brave fellow, indeed,” said the serjeant; 
“ here, my boy, here is your money and your 
cockade;” both which he directly presented, 
for fear his recruit should change his mind; 
and thus in a moment little Jack became a 
soldier. 

He had scarcely time to feel himself easy in 
his new accoutrements, before he was embarked 
for India, in the character of a marine. This 
kind of life was entirely new to J ack ; how- 
ever, his usual activity and spirit of observa- 
tion did not desert him here ; and he had not 
been embarked many weeks before he was per- 
fectly acquainted with all the duties of a sailor, 
and in that respect equal to most on board. It 
happened that the ship in which he sailed 
touched at the Cormo Islands, in order to take 
in wood and water ; these are some little isl- 


LITTLE JACK. 


53 


ands near the coast of Africa, inhabited by 
blacks. Jack often went on shore with the 
officers, attending them on their shooting par- 
ties to carry their powder and shot, and the 
game they killed. 

All this country consists of very lofty hills, 
covered with trees and shrubs of various kinds, 
which never lose their leaves, from the perpe- 
tual warmth of the climate. Through these 
it is frequently difficult to force a way, and the 
hills themselves abound in precipices. 

It happened that one of the officers whom 
Jack was attending at a shooting party, took 
aim at some great bird, and brought it down ; 
but as it fell into some deep valley, over some 
rocks which it was impossible to descend, they 
despaired of gaining their prey. Jack imme- 
diately, with officious haste, set off and ran 


54 


THE HISTORY OF 


down the more level side of the hill, thinking 
to make a circuit and reach the valley into 
which the bird had fallen. He set off, there- 
fore, but as he was totally ignorant of the 
country, he, in a short time, buried himself so 
deep in the wood, which grew continually 
thicker, that he knew not which way to pro- 
ceed. 

He then thought it most prudent to return ; 
but this he found as difficult to effect as the 
other. He therefore wandered about the woods 
with inconceivable difficulty all day, but could 
never find his company, nor even reach the 
shore, nor obtain a prospect of the sea. At 
length the night approached, and Jack, who 
perceived it to be impossible to do that in the 
dark, which he had not been able to effect in 
the light, lay down under a rock, and composed 
himself to rest as well as he was able. 


LITTLE JACK. 


55 


The next day he rose with the light, and 
once more attempted to regain the shore : but 
unfortunately he had totally lost all idea of the 
direction which he ought to pursue, and saw 
nothing around him but the dismal prospect 
of woods, and hills, and precipices, without a 
guide or path. 

Jack now began to be very hungry, but as 
he had a fowling-piece with him, and powder 
and shot, he soon procured himself a dinner ; 
and kindling a fire with some dry leaves and 
sticks, he roasted his game upon the embers, 
* and dined as comfortably as he could be ex- 
pected to do in so forlorn a situation. Finding 
himself much refreshed, he pursued his jour- 
ney, but with as little success as ever. 

On the third day, he indeed came in sight 
of the sea, but found that he was quite on a 


56 the history of 

different side of the island from that where he 
left the ship, and that neither ship nor boat 
was to be seen. 

Jack now lost all hopes of rejoining his com- 
rades, for he knew the ship was to sail, at far- 
thest, upon the third day, and would not wait 
for him. 

He therefore sat down very pensively upon 
a rock, and cast his eyes upon the vast extent 
of ocean which was stretched out before him. 
He found himself now abandoned upon a 
strange country, without a single friend, ac- 
quaintance,' or even any one who spoke the 
same language. He at first thought of seeking 
out the natives, and making known to them 
his deplorable state ; but he began to fear the 
reception he might meet with among them. 
They might not be pleased, he thought, with 


LITTLE JACK. 


57 

his company, and might take the liberty of 
treating him as the white men generally treat 
the blacks when they get them into their pos- 
session ; that is, make them work hard with 
very little victuals, and knock him on the head 
if he attempted to run away. And, therefore, 
says J ack, as he was meditating all alone, it 
may, perhaps, be better for me to stay quiet 
where I am. It is true, indeed, I shall not 
have much company to talk to, but then I shall 
have nobody to quarrel with me, nor baa, nor 
laugh at my poor daddy and mammy. Neither 
do I at present see how I shall get a livelihood 
when my powder and shot are all expended ; 
but, however, I shall hardly be starved, for I 
saw several kinds of fruits in the woods, and 
some roots which look very much like carrots. 
As to clothes, when mine wear out, I shall not 


58 


THE HISTORY OF 


much want new ones, for the weather is charm- 
ingly warm ; and, therefore, all things consi- 
dered, I don’t see why I should not be as happy 
here as in any other place. 

When Jack had finished his speech, he set 
himself to find a lodging for the night. He 
had not examined far before he found a dry 
cavern in a rock, which he thought would prove 
a very comfortable residence ; he therefore went 
to work with a hatchet he had with him, and 
cut some boughs of trees, which he spread upon 
the floor, and over those a long silky kind of 
grass, which he found in plenty near the place, 
to make himself a bed. His next care was, 
how to secure himself in case of any attack, 
for he did not know whether the island con- 
tained any wild beasts or not. He therefore 
cut down several branches of trees, and wove 


LITTLE JACK. 


59 

them into a kind of wicker work, as he had 
seen the men do hurdles when he lived with 
the farmer ; with this contrivance he found he 
could very securely barricade the entrance of 
his cave. And now, as the evening was again 
approaching, he began to feel himself hungry, 
and seeking along the sea-shore, he found some 
shell-fish, which supplied him with a plentiful 
meal. 

The next day J ack arose, a little melancholy 
indeed, but with a resolution to struggle man- 
fully with the difficulties of his situation. He 
walked into the woods and saw several kinds 
of fruit and berries, some of which he ven- 
tured to eat, as the birds had pecked them, and 
found the taste agreeable. He also dug up 
several species of roots, but feared to taste 
them lest they should be poisonous. At length 


60 


THE HISTORY OF 


he selected one that very much resembled a 
potato, and determined to roast it in the em- 
bers, and taste a very small bit. It can hardly, 
thought Jack, do me much hurt, in so very 
small a quantity ; and, if that agree with me, 
I will increase the dose. The root was fortu- 
nately extremely wholesome and nutritive, so 
that Jack was, in a very short time, tolerably 
secure against the danger of wanting food. In 
this manner did Jack lead a kind of savage, 
but tolerably contented, life for several months ; 
during which time he enjoyed perfect health, 
and was never discovered by any of the na- 
tives. He used several times a day to visit 
the shore, in hopes that some ship might pass 
that way and deliver him from his solitary im- 
prisonment. 

This, at length, happened, by the boat of an 



A NATIVE OF THE ISLANDS 


















+ 







V 










r 


















LITTLE JACK. 


61 


English ship, that was sailing to India, hap- 
pening to touch upon the coast; Jack instantly 
hailed the crew, and the officer, upon hearing 
the story, agreed to receive him ; the captain, 
too, when he fbund that Jack was by no means 
a contemptible sailor, very willingly gave him 
his passage, and promised him a gratuity be- 
sides, if he behaved well. 

Jack arrived in India without any accident, 
and, relating his story, was permitted to serve 
in another regiment, as his own was no longer 
there. He soon distinguished himself by his 
courage and good behaviour on several occa- 
sions, and before long was advanced to the 
rank of a serjeant. In this capacity, he was 
ordered out upon an expedition into the remote 
parts of the country. The little army in 
which he served now marched on, for several 


THE HISTORY OF 


62 

weeks, through a burning climate, and in want 
of all the necessaries of life. 

At length they entered upon some extensive 
plains, which bordered on the celebrated coun- 
try of the Tartars. Jack was perfectly well 
acquainted with the history of this people, and 
their method of fighting. 

He knew them to be some of the best horse- 
men in the world; indefatigable in their at- 
tacks, though often repulsed returning to the 
charge, and not to be invaded with impunity ; 
he, therefore, took the liberty of observing to 
some of the officers, that nothing could be 
more dangerous than their rashly engaging 
themselves in those extensive plains, where 
they were every moment exposed to the attacks 
of cavalry, without any successful method of 
defence, or place of retreat, in case of any mis- 
fortune. 


LITTLE JACK. 63 

These remonstrances were not much attend- 
ed to, and, after a few hours farther march, 
they were alarmed by the approach of a con- 
siderable body of Tartar horsemen. They, 
however, drew up with all the order they were 
able, and firing several successive volleys, en- 
deavoured to keep the enemy at a distance. 
But the Tartars had no design of doing that 
with a considerable loss, which they were sure 
of doing with ease and safety. Instead, there- 
fore, of charging the Europeans, they contented 
themselves with giving continual alarms, and 
menacing them on every side, without exposing 
themselves to any considerable danger. 

The army now attempted to retreat, hoping 
that they should be able to arrive at the neigh- 
bouring mountains, where they would be safe 
from the incursions of the horse. But in this 


64 


THE HISTORY OF 


attempt they were equally disappointed; for 
another considerable body of enemies appeared 
on that side, and blocked their passage. The 
Europeans now found they were surrounded on 
all sides, and that resistance was vain. The 
commanding officer, therefore, judged it expe- 
dient to try what could be effected by negotia- 
tion, and sent one of his officers, who under- 
stood something of the enemies. The Tartar 
chief received the Europeans with great civi- 
lity, and after having gently reproached them 
with their ambition, in coming so far to invade 
a people who had never injured them, he con- 
sented, upon very moderate conditions, to their 
enlargement : but he insisted upon having their 
arms delivered up, except a very few, which 
he permitted them to keep for defence in their 
return, and upon retaining a certain number 


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LITTLE JACK. 


65 


of Europeans as hostages, for the performance 
of stipulated articles. Among those who were 
thus left with the Tartars, Jack happened to 
be included ; and, while all the rest seemed in- 
consolable at being thus made prisoners by a 
barbarous nation, he alone, accustomed to all 
the vicissitudes of life, retained his cheerful- 
ness, and prepared to meet every reverse of 
fortune with his usual firmness. 

The Tartars, among whom Jack was now to 
reside, constitute several different tribes or na- 
tions, which inhabit an immense extent of 
country, both in Europe and Asia. Their 
country is in general open and cultivated, 
without cities or towns such as we see in Eng- 
land. The inhabitants themselves are a bold 
and hardy race of men, that live in small tents, 
and change their place of abode with the dif- 


66 


THE HISTORY OF 


ferent seasons of the year. All their property 
consists in herds of cattle, which they drive 
along with them from place to place, and upon 
whose milk and flesh they subsist. They are 
particularly fond of horses, of which they have 
a small, but excellent breed, hardy and indefa- 
tigable for the purposes of war ; and they excel 
in the management of them beyond what is 
easy to conceive. Immense herds of these ani- 
mals wander loose about the deserts, but 
marked with the particular mark of the person 
or tribe to which they belong. When they 
want any of these animals for use, a certain 
number of their young men jump upon their 
horses, with nothing but a halter to guide 
them, each carrying in his hand a pole, with a 
noose of cord at the end. When they come in 
sight of the herd, they pursue the horse they 


LITTLE JACK. 


67 

wish to take, at full speed, come up with him 
in spite of his swiftness, and never fail to throw 
the noose about his neck as he runs. They 
are frequently known to jump upon young 
horses that have passed their whole life in the 
desert, and with only a girth around the ani- 
mals body to hold by, maintain their seat, in 
spite of all his violent exertions, until they 
have wearied him out, and reduced him into 
perfect obedience. Such was the nation with 
whom the lot of Jack was now to reside, nor 
was he long before he had an opportunity of 
showing his talents. 

It happened that a favourite horse of the 
chief was taken with a violent fever, and 
seemed to be in immediate danger of death. 
The Khan, for so he is called among the Tar- 
tars, seeing his horse grow hourly worse, at 


68 


THE HISTORY OF 


length applied to the Europeans, to know if 
they could suggest any thing for his recovery. 
All the officers were profoundly ignorant of 
farriery ; but when the application was made 
to Jack, he desired to see the horse, and, with 
great gravity, began to feel his pulse by pass- 
ing his hand within the animal's fore legs, 
which gave the Tartars a very high idea of his 
ingenuity. Finding that the animal was in a 
high fever, he proposed to the Khan to let him 
blood, which he had learned to do very dex- 
terously in England. He obtained permission 
to do as he pleased ; and having, by great good 
luck, a lancet with him, he let him blood very 
dexterously in the neck. After this operation, 
he covered him up and gave him a warm po- 
tion made out of such ingredients as he could 
procure upon the spot, and left him quiet. In 


LITTLE JACK. 


69 


a few hours the horse began to mend, and, to 
the great joy of the Khan, perfectly recovered 
in a few days. 

This cure, so opportunely performed, raised 
the reputation of Jack so high, that everybody 
came to consult him about their horses ; and, 
in a short time, he was the universal farrier of 
the whole tribe. The Khan himself conceived 
so great an affection for him, that he gave him 
an excellent horse to ride upon, and attend in 
his hunting parties; and Jack, who excelled 
in the art of horsemanship, managed him so 
well as to gain the esteem of the whole nation. 

The Tartars, though they are excellent 
horsemen, have no idea of managing their 
horses, unless by violence ; but J ack, in a short 
time, by continual care and attention, made his 
horse so docile and obedient to every motion 


70 


THE HISTORY OF 


of his hand and leg, that the Tartars them- 
selves would gaze upon him with admiration, 
and allow themselves to be outdone. Not con- 
tented with this, he procured some iron, and 
made his horse-shoes in the European taste; 
this also was a matter of astonishment to all 
the Tartars, who are accustomed to ride their 
horses unshod. He next observed that the 
Tartar saddles are all prodigiously large and 
cumbersome, raising the horseman up to a 
great distance from the back of his horse. 

J ack set himself to work, and was not long 
before he had completed something like an 
English hunting saddle, on which he paraded 
before the Khan. All mankind seemed to 
have a passion for novelty, and the Khan was 
so delighted with this effort of Jack’s ingenuity, 


LITTLE JACK. 


71 


that, after paying him the highest compliments, 
he intimated a desire of having such a saddle 
for himself. Jack was the most obliging crea- 
ture in the world, and spared no labour to serve 
his friends : he went to work again, and, in a 
short time, completed a saddle still more ele- 
gant for the Khan. These exertions gained 
him the favour and esteem both of the Khan 
and the tribe, so that Jack was a universal fa- 
vourite, and loaded with presents, while all the 
rest of the officers, who had never learned to 
make a saddle or a horse-shoe, were treated 
with contempt and indifference. 

Jack, indeed, behaved with the greatest ge- 
nerosity to his countrymen, and divided with 
them all the mutton and venison which were 
given him ; but he could not help sometimes 


THE HISTORY OF 


72 

observing, that it was a great pity they had 
not learned to make a horse-shoe instead of 
dancing and dressing hair. 

And now an ambassador arrived from the 
English settlements, with an account that all 
the conditions of the treaty had been per- 
formed, and demanding the restitution of the 
prisoners. The Tartar chief was too much a 
man of honour to delay an instant, and they 
were all restored ; but before they set out, Jack 
laboured with indefatigable zeal to finish a 
couple of saddles and a dozen horse-shoes, 
which he presented to the Khan with many 
expressions of gratitude. The Khan was 
charmed with this proof of his affection, and, 
in return, made him a present of a couple of 
fine horses, and several valuable skins of beasts. 


LITTLE JACK. 


73 


J ack arrived without any accident at the Eng- 
lish settlements; and selling his skins and 
horses, found himself in possession of a mode- 
rate sum of money. He now began to have a 
desire to return to England, and one of the 
officers, who had often been obliged to him 
during his captivity, procured him a discharge. 
He embarked, therefore, with all his property, 
on board a ship which was returning home, 
and in a few months was safely landed at Ply- 
mouth. 

But Jack was too active and too prudent to 
give himself up to idleness. After considering 
various schemes of business, he determined to 
take up his old trade of forging, and for that 
purpose made a journey into the North, and 
found his old master alive and as active as 


74 


THE HISTORY OF 


ever. His master, who had always entertained 
an esteem for Jack, welcomed him with great 
affection, and being in want of a foreman, he 
engaged him, at a very handsome price, for 
that place. Jack was now indefatigable in the 
execution of his new office ; inflexibly honest 
where the interests of his master were con- 
cerned, and, at the same time, humane and 
obliging to the men who were under him, he 
gained the affection of all about him. In a 
few years his master was so thoroughly con- 
vinced of his merit, that, growing old himself, 
he took Jack into partnership, and committed 
the management of the whole business to his 
care. He continued to exert the same qualities 
now which he had done before ; by which 
means he improved the business so much, as 


LITTLE JACK. 75 

to gain a considerable fortune, and become one 
of the most respectable manufacturers in the 
country. But, with all his prosperity, he ne- 
ver discovered the least pride nor haughtiness ; 
on the contrary, he employed part of his for- 
tune to purchase the moor where he formerly 
lived, and built himself a small, but convenient 
house, upon the very spot where his daddy’s 
hut had formerly stood. Hither he would 
sometimes retire from business, and cultivate 
his garden with his own hands, for he hated 
idleness. 

To all his poor neighbours he was kind and 
liberal, relieving them in their distress ; and 
often entertaining them at his house, where he 
used to dine with them with the greatest affa- 
bility, and frequently relate his own story, in 


76 THE HISTORY OF LITTLE JACK. 

order to prove that it is of very little conse- 
quence how a man comes into the world, pro- 
vided he behave well, and discharge his duty 
when he is in it. 


THE END. 


THE CHILD’S STORY BOOK 


OF 

ANIMALS. 


With Twenty-four Engravings* Square 16mo., 
cloth, gilt. 


This is an entirely new book, written for very young child* 
ten, by an experienced hand, and by a very popular author 
with children. Its character is different from that of all the 
other books of the kind that have been published, for they 
are all written beyond the comprehension of very young 
children, and contain too much scientific detail to interest 
them. These descriptions are written in the same familiar 
manner in which the author would converse with his children, 
and contain entirely new and interesting stories. It is printed 
with large type, and embellished with 24 spirited engravings 
of the various animals. It is published with the plates plain 
or coloured. 


1 


THE CHILD’S STORY BOOK 


OF 

BIRDS. 


With Twenty-four Engravings. Square 16mo., 
cloth, gilt. 


This beautiful little volume is written by the same author, 
and in the same familiar, interesting style, as “ The Child’s 
Story Book of Animals.” It is printed, bound, and illustrated 
to match that popular volume, and at the same price. 

A critic has said of them, “ They are just the books that 
have been wanted ; no dry, scientific descriptions of animals, 
that the little folks cannot understand, but sketches and sto- 
ries told in a delightful style, which must please the juveniles. 
They made us feel like youngsters again whilst reading them. 
We know of no better books to place in their hands, not only 
to amuse but to instruct them.” 


2 


MIS (DHEMPSI PAMOIBAMA 


OF 



AND 


THE CHILD'S PANORAMA 


OF 


BIRDS. 


Each of these little books contains 24 brightly coloured pic- 
tures ; the one, of Animals, and the other, of Birds. They 
are expressly calculated for Picture Books for very little 
folks, and from their attractive appearance, and the large 
number of Engravings, must please them. Another novel 
feature is, they are printed on a large sheet of thick, strong 
paper, so that they can be either turned over like the leaves 
of an ordinary book, or stretched out to display a brilliant 
array of pictures, nine feet in length. 


3 


SKETCHES FROM REAL LIFE 


BY MRS. L. MARIA CHILD. 


I. THE POWER OF KINDNESS, 
n. HOME AND POLITICS. 


With Fonr Illustrations. 1 vol., square 18mo., 
embossed cloth. 


Mrs. Child is so well known, and her writings have exertea 
so wide an influence for the good of her race, that it is only 
sufficient to announce her new work to command an extensive 
sale. This little volume contains two beautifully written 
sketches, the scenes and incidents from every-day life ; they 
are, “Power of Kindness,” showing how evil passions and 
brutal force can be overcome and guided by its influence ; the 
other, “Home and Politics,” denouncing by a powerfully 
wrought example, one of the greatest curses which hangs 
over the country. The interest excited by these sketches is 
great, and, as they will be attentively read, must do a great 
deal of good with both old and young. 



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